Chapter 1132: A More Stable Backyard
Wilson’s henchmen suddenly realized that the people around them were casting hostile glares in their direction. Unable to come up with a clever retort or defense, they hurriedly lowered their heads and ducked into the nearest alleyway.
In front of the Basilica of San Nazaro in Brolo, a manager from the Ferrini Silk Mill led dozens of newly hired porters back toward the factory.
The large crowd still waiting in line dispersed in disappointment.
Just then, someone waved a newspaper and shouted, "This Milan Vocational Training School says that if you study there for just a few months, you can get the kind of jobs only guild journeymen are allowed to do!"
While "journeyman" sounded like a low-level worker with little experience, it was actually the threshold of becoming a craftsman—a "technical talent" who could work in trades requiring specific qualifications.
Previously, obtaining such certification required joining a guild, signing an apprenticeship contract with a master, and studying for at least five years. Some industries even required more than a decade of training.
During that period, not only were wages pitifully low, but apprentices also had to pay guild dues and were often forced to buy "certified" tools from the guild—usually at prices significantly higher than the market rate.
However, once one attained journeyman status, they could engage in jobs monopolized by the guild with almost no competition. It was, for all intents and purposes, a "guaranteed paycheck."
And now, by spending only a few months at this training school, one could perform work that previously required years of apprenticeship. The temptation was simply too great!
"Where is the school located? How much is the tuition?"
"After finishing the course, do we still have to pay guild dues?"
The man with the newspaper read aloud, "The school is located north of the Porta Romana district. Anyone between the ages of 10 and 40 can apply, but you must pass an entrance screening. They won't take anyone with physical disabilities, those who are dim-witted, or anyone who has been to prison."
"The tuition is five Francs, but you can carry it as a debt for now. Once you find a job, it will be deducted from your wages. There are no guild dues."
"Furthermore, apprentices can apply for a 'Bread Loan.' You can receive one pound of bread for free at the school every day, which will also be repaid from your future wages."
The crowd fell silent for a moment. Then, a boy of thirteen or fourteen asked softly, "Sir, is this a school established by the Church?"
In his memory, only the Church operated similar "welfare" schools, though those places only taught children how to read and recited religious legends.
"No, it is not the Church," the man with the newspaper replied, shaking his head. "This was opened by the French Production Management Consulting Company. It is meant to help the people of Milan find employment more easily."
The boy crossed himself. "Bless the French lords. I apologize for the things I said about them before."
As soon as he finished speaking, he spun around and sprinted toward the south.
The others snapped out of their daze and scrambled to follow him—that was the direction of the Porta Romana district. Who knew if there would be any spots left if they arrived late?
If the specialized industrial chains of various cities were the anchors stabilizing the economy of Northern Italy, then the vocational training schools were the buffers.
In Milan, for instance, the current silk reeling, woodcarving, and artwork industries could provide roughly seven or eight hundred jobs, while the training school could accommodate over five hundred people.
These 1,300 people might not seem like many, but they would drive a large number of related industries concerning food, clothing, housing, and transportation, solving the livelihood issues of at least ten thousand families.
With Milan’s total population being only 130,000, the city's overall economic situation could be stabilized immediately.
As these advantageous industries continued to develop, their goods could be sold to Germany, the Ottoman Empire, Russia, and beyond. By then, the demand for labor would grow so much that the population of Milan itself might not be enough.
As the cities of Northern Italy developed, their purchasing power would also strengthen, effectively expanding the market for French goods. This was essentially Italians earning money from places like Germany, Russia, and the Ottoman Empire to buy French products.
This was why Joseph was willing to invest so much to help the nations of Northern Italy cultivate their respective industries. If the subordinates were too weak, they would become a heavy burden on the leader.
Moreover, beyond the market gains, France could use this "industrial aid" to strengthen the pro-French sentiment in Northern Italy.
Governments that took out massive loans from France would become more firmly dependent on the nation.
At the same time, various French patents, technical standards, and legal regulations followed the industrial aid into Italy. In the future, even if the Italians wanted to break away from France politically, they would find that their domestic industrial landscape simply would not allow it.
The "backyard" would become more stable and prosperous, capable of providing greater support to France at critical moments.
As for the total loan of over 14 million Francs provided to the various nations this time, Joseph had originally planned to issue a batch of National Debt in Northern Italy.
The nobility here were actually quite wealthy—as long as the interest was right, selling 10 million in government bonds shouldn't be difficult. This was essentially using Italian money to promote their own industrial development.
Afterward, France could also earn a significant amount through equity stakes in the industries of various countries and patent royalties. In fact, even the training schools were designed to be profitable.
However, after learning that Naples had been involved in the recent riots in Northern Italy, Joseph decided to let Ferdinand IV "share" some of the expenses as well.
Inside a carriage parked on a street in Florence.
Count Costantini frowned deeply as he watched the previously enraged citizens disperse.
He couldn't understand when the Florentine government had planned such large-scale tanneries and leather processing factories.
It was said that French merchant convoys had even pre-ordered a large quantity of leather boots and bags, which quickly alleviated the unemployment problem here.
Now, the city was filled with talk of new jobs and training; no one cared about the topic of Italian unification anymore.
The carriage came to a halt.
Costantini glanced at the villa of the famous writer Carlo Botta and signaled his attendant to knock on the door.
He had heard that Botta was currently writing a monumental work titled "History of Italy," which would be very helpful in fostering a sense of Italian identity. He intended to pay a visit and, if necessary, provide financial support for the book.
However, as soon as the maid opened the door and before Costantini could introduce himself, a roar erupted from the second floor: "These Milanese are simply a pack of shameless swine!"
"The only people Milan can call artists are Da Vinci and Bramante, yet they dare to claim they are the artistic center of the Apennines?!"
"Florence has Carracci, Sammartino, Pergolesi, Scarlatti—so many more! This is the true center of art; even the Great Renaissance began here!"
The shouting stopped abruptly when the maid informed the master of the villa that an esteemed guest had arrived.
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